ABC license fees vary depending on the type of establishment.
Licenses are issued for three-year periods with all establishments of the same type expiring on the same date. License fees may be submitted at the time of renewal for the entire licensing period or annually. Late payments are subject to a late fee of $50 per day. License fees may be paid by credit card (Visa or MasterCard), check, certified check, money order or cashier's check. Checks must be made payable to the DC Treasurer.
Manufacturers, Wholesalers and Off-Premises Retailers Classes
2017 Renewal Checklist for Class B Off-Premises Retailers and Wholesalers
| Class | Type | Alcohol | Fees | License Expiration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABC Manager | - | Individual certified to manage one or more ABC establishments | $260 | Every two-years |
| Manufacturer A | - | Permitted to manufacture spirits | $6,000 | March 31, 2018 |
| Manufacturer A | - | Permitted to manufacture wine | $1,500 | March 31, 2018 |
| Manufacturer B | - | Permitted to manufacture beer | $5,000 | March 31, 2020 |
| Manufacturer C | - | Permits the production of baked goods with 5 percent alcohol per volume | $1,000 | March 31, 2018 |
| Wholesaler A | - | Permitted to sell beer, wine and spirits | $5,200 | March 31, 2018 |
| Wholesaler B | - | Permitted to sell beer and wine | $2,600 | October 2, 2017 |
| Retailer A | Liquor store/Internet | Permitted to sell beer, wine and spirits | $2,600 | March 31, 2018 |
| Retailer B | Grocery store/Internet | Permitted to sell beer and wine | $1,300 | October 2, 2017 |
| Solicitor | - | Permitted to transport and take orders on behalf of a vendor that the solicitor represents | $325 for a one-year license, $650 for a two-year license $975 for a three-year license. |
April 30, 2020 |
Class C Licenses
Annual license fees for all class C licenses, except the Washington Convention Center and DC Arena, are based on the certificate of occupancy.
| Clas | Type | Capacity | Fee | License Expiration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CR-01 | Restaurant | 99 or fewer | $1,000 | March 31, 2019 |
| CR-02 | Restaurant | 100-199 | $1,300 | March 31, 2019 |
| CR-03 | Restaurant | 200-499 | $1,950 | March 31, 2019 |
| CR-04 | Restaurant | 500 or more | $2,600 | March 31, 2019 |
| CT-01 | Tavern | 99 or fewer | $1,300 | September 30, 2019 |
| CT-02 | Tavern | 100-199 | $2,080 | September 30, 2019 |
| CT-03 | Tavern | 200 or more | $3,120 | September 30, 2019 |
| CN-01 | Nightclub | 99 or fewer | $1,950 | September 30, 2019 |
| CN-02 | Nightclub | 100-199 | $2,600 | September 30, 2019 |
| CN-03 | Nightclub | 200-499 | $3,250 | September 30, 2019 |
| CN-04 | Nightclub | 500-999 | $4,550 | September 30, 2019 |
| CN-05 | Nightclub | 1,000 or more | $5,850 | September 30, 2019 |
| CH-01 | Hotel | 99 or fewer guest rooms | $2,600 | March 31, 2019 |
| CH-02 | Hotel | 99 or more guest rooms | $5,200 | March 31, 2019 |
| CB | Bed & Breakfast | - | $1,000 | September 30, 2019 |
| CX Club | - | - | $1,950 | March 31, 2019 |
| CX Multipurpose Facility | - | - | $1,950 | March 31, 2019 |
| CX marine vessel, single vessel | - | - | $1,950 | March 31, 2019 |
| CX marine vessel line for 3 or fewer vessels and dockside waiting areas |
- | - | $3,250 | March 31, 2019 |
| For each additional vessel or dockside waiting area |
- | - | $1,950 | March 31, 2019 |
| CX railroad dining or club car, single car | - | - | $650 | March 31, 2019 |
| CX railroad company, all dining or club cars | - | - | $1,950 | March 31, 2019 |
Class D Licenses
Annual license fees for all establishments with Class C licenses, except the Washington Convention Center and DC Arena, are based on the certificate of occupancy.
| Class | Type | Capacity | Fee | License Expiration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DR-01 | Restaurant | 99 or fewer | $600 | March 31, 2019 |
| DR-02 | Restaurant | 100-199 | $780 | March 31, 2019 |
| DR-03 | Restaurant | 200-499 | $1,170 | March 31, 2019 |
| DR-04 | Restaurant | 500 or more | $1,560 | March 31, 2019 |
| DT-01 | Tavern | 99 or fewer | $1,000 | September 30, 2019 |
| DT-02 | Tavern | 100-199 | $1,300 | September 30, 2019 |
| DT-03 | Tavern | 200 or more | $1,950 | September 30, 2019 |
| DN-01 | Nightclub | 99 or fewer | $1,300 | September 30, 2019 |
| DN-02 | Nightclub | 100-199 | $1,625 | September 30, 2019 |
| DN-03 | Nightclub | 200-499 | $1,950 | September 30, 2019 |
| DN-04 | Nightclub | 500-999 | $2,600 | September 30, 2019 |
| DN-05 | Nightclub | 1,000 or more | $4,550 | September 30, 2019 |
| DH-01 | Hotel | 99 or fewer guest rooms | $1,300 | March 31, 2019 |
| DH-02 | Hotel | 100 or more guest rooms | $2,600 | March 31, 2019 |
| DB | Bed & Breakfast | - | $650.00 | September 30, 2019 |
| DX Club | - | - | $650 | March 31, 2019 |
| DX multipurpose facility | - | - | $650 | March 31, 2019 |
| DX marine vessel, single vessel | - | - | $975 | March 31, 2019 |
| DX marine vessel line, for 3 or fewer vessels and dockside waiting areas |
- | - | $1,300 | March 31, 2019 |
| For each additional vessel or dockside waiting area |
- | - | $650 | March 31, 2019 |
| DX railroad dining or club car, single car |
- | - | $325 | March 31, 2019 |
| DX railroad company, all dining or club cars |
- | - | $650 | March 31, 2019 |
Catering Licenses
Catering licenses fees are based on a caterer's annual revenue for the previous year.
| Class | Gross Annual Revenue | Fee | License Expiration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caterer | More than $1,000,000 per year Gross Annual Revenue | $5,000 | March 31, 2019 |
| Caterer | $500,001 - $1,000,000 per year Gross Annual Revenue | $4,000 | March 31, 2019 |
| Caterer | $300,001 - $500,000 per year Gross Annual Revenue | $3,000 | March 31, 2019 |
| Caterer | $200,001 - $300,000 per year Gross Annual Revenue | $2,000 | March 31, 2019 |
| Caterer | $100,001 - $200,000 per year Gross Annual Revenue | $1,500 | March 31, 2019 |
| Caterer | $50,001 - $100,000 per year Gross Annual Revenue | $1,000 | March 31, 2019 |
| Caterer | $25,001 - $50,000 per year Gross Annual Revenue | $750 | March 31, 2019 |
| Caterer | $0 - $25,000 per year Gross Annual Revenue | $500 | March 31, 2019 |
Endorsement and Permit Fees
Annual fees for endorsements and permits are as follows:
- Entertainment Endorsement: 20 percent of the base licensing fee (the fee is not prorated)
- Summer Garden/Sidewalk Café: $75
- Distillery Pub Permit: $7,500
- Brew Pub Permit: $3,900
- Wine Pub Permit: $5,000
- Manufacturer’s On-Site Sales and Consumption Permit: $1,000
- Tasting Permit: $130
- Storage Facility Permit: $300
An additional $50 inspection fee may be assessed if a permit is applied for after the original license is granted.
Application Processing Fees
- New license, excluding manager and solicitor license application: $75
- Transfer of a license to a new owner: $250
- Transfer of a license to a new location: $250
- Change of officer, director, stockholder, or general or limited partner: $100
- Corporate or trade name change: $50
- Keg registration: $6 per keg registration book, which is valid for the registration of ten kegs